Santa Claus Is Close

living.boondockingmexico@yahoo.com

We're still here in SMA and Juan returned Friday morning early.  This year we won't have a Christmas tree.  We were hoping to have one here but there isn't one and we didn't want to spend the money on things we would have to cart back home and have more of what we don't need.  I decorated the fireplace.  Juan brought the lights from home and I purchased the paistle or musgo (Spanish moss), the garland, mini piñatas, and the baby, Jesus, for 200 pesos or $10.  This is our Christmas tree this year.

We went to the artesian market which is about ten minutes away from the house.  We went there for lunch with our friend Barbara.  This is one of the best Italian restaurants we have been to on our trips.  In addition, it is one of the best priced.  The chef and his wife run the small restaurant called "Andrea's".   Really good food and the couple is very nice.  We split a chicken parmesano over a bed of pasta with mixed veggies.  Barb had salmon that was truly flavorful.  (I share our money, our home, and anything else except for food.  But, you have to taste other people's food).  

As we walked through the market people were selling like crazy, lowering prices and the Christmas spirit was on high.  Like in all markets, we passed the altar to the Virgin of Guadalupe.

The streets in this section are exemplary of what San Miguel looked like 300 years ago.  With the exception of some changes in the streets including repairs, the houses and shops are pretty much the same.  There is one exception though, the electric company, belonging to the federal government, found a way to put a semi-modern structure right in front of the restaurant.  I guess most people would hardly notice.-

Back home it was time to heat up the fireplace.  It was 1C last night and the days are wet with light rain and heavy clouds.  The house gets cold without it but during sleep, we turn off the fireplace and turn on the electric blanket.  

Juan took this before leaving home the other day.  It was a picture of the last sunset from home for this year.  I'm missing the place but not so much the house, just being in our own digs, going to the gym, neighbors, shopping and the like.